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Reciting poetry was not unusual, but recently, whenever he stepped into Canglan Court, the sound of the Young Eunuch reciting poems always accompanied him. The peculiarity lay in the style of the poems and the person reciting them, which were completely different from that of the Young Eunuch.

This style of bleak and plaintive expression was something Canglan Court had never experienced before—it was utterly contrary and out of place.

The Emperor thought perhaps something had happened, felt a bit anxious, and strode towards the door of the Side Hall. Just as he reached the entrance, he witnessed this bizarre scene:

He saw an unfamiliar woman sitting in the main seat of the hall, talking to his Little Concubine about something, all the while posturing pretentiously.

He had only a faint impression of this woman, remembered only that her surname was Fang; her father served as a Bureau Lecturing Scholar at the Hanlin Academy, of the Fifth Rank, specializing in the teachings of classics and history, an honest and upright man, even somewhat old-fashioned and dull, particularly fond of chanting frustrated, acidulous poetry, his career peaking at the Fifth Rank.

The Little Concubine was seated to the side, eyes fixed unblinkingly on the woman in the main seat, nodding as if uncovering treasures while awkwardly mimicking the woman’s mannerisms and, surprisingly, doing it quite convincingly.

A few servants of the Little Concubine stood behind them, the rather slow Young Eunuch and Little Palace Maid listening very attentively, while the more clever Young Eunuch had an expression of toothache on her face, next to them stood a strange Palace Maid.

At this moment, everyone in the Side Hall was wholly focused on Lian Hua and Consort Fang.

The Emperor slightly frowned; the situation was not what he had expected. Could this Miss Fang be trying to lead his Little Concubine astray?

Since Lian Hua began learning from Consort Fang, Xiao Jizi had been quite uncomfortable; he first noticed the shadow at the doorway and looked over, as if seeing a savior, and wanted to shout.

Xiao Linzi, who often paid more attention to Xiao Jizi, noticed that Brother Xiao Ji seemed to be making a move and also looked over, seeing the Emperor at the entrance.

Jin Xi noticed as well, her heart suddenly trembling, then a hint of secret joy bubbled up, her heart pounding with the thought that seeing His Majesty was rare, perhaps there might be an opportunity for their master...

Several of them thought of moving at the same time.

The Emperor glanced at them, raised his hand to stop them just in time, and the four of them dared not make a sound, only lowering their heads in terror.

The Emperor then gestured for Zhang Qing and the others to wait outside and silently walked in, approaching behind the two women.

He wanted to see what mischief was afoot, who dared to corrupt his Little Concubine, he would be the first to not forgive them.

At this moment, in the hall, only Lian Hua and Consort Fang were oblivious to the Emperor’s arrival; one teaching, the other learning, both utterly engrossed and dead serious.

Consort Fang pointed out Lian Hua’s deficiencies, "Sister, remember, this poem ’Voice Voice Slow’ by Li Qingzhao expresses a feeling of loneliness, melancholy, and sorrow. Your recitation was very mournful, which is good, but your gaze must be more genuine, truly sad."

As she spoke, she half-covered her face with her sleeve, her eyes downcast, filled with sorrow, demonstrating hand in hand for Lian Hua.

"Oh..." Lian Hua had an epiphany, she understood the logic, "But I am not sad."

Not being sad but having to act grievously did not seem right.

Consort Fang said she had almost learned it, just missing a touch of charm.

Her posture and tone were already quite similar, but the gaze had to be similar too?

For her to truly feel sorrow was not possible, reading this poem, she did not feel sad at all, barely understanding it, only aware that this female poet was very melancholic, more emaciated than a flower, yet unable to empathize.

She just thought of performing in front of His Majesty, evoking endless praise from him, even struggling to suppress a laugh, how could she possibly manifest true sadness?

Concubine Fang Pin felt somewhat powerless, she had taught and explained this look many times already, yet her confidante, Sister Lian, just couldn’t learn it.

Having no other choice, she said directly, "Sister Lian, can you pretend? If you’re not sad, then act sad, you can always pretend, right?"

Lian Hua bit her lip, pondering whether she could pretend, and thought for a moment, "Consort, let me try to pretend first."

As she spoke, she began to recite, "Searching and searching, cold and clear..."

Using her sleeve to partially cover her face, her eyes cast downward, she put on a sad expression.

She became so engrossed in her act that the corner of her eye caught a glimpse of a bright yellow piece of clothing touching her chair under the table; she did not think much of it, only a vague thought crossed her mind, that piece of clothing really resembled His Majesty’s attire.

The Emperor behind her felt a pang in his eyes, and at last, he understood what that young eunuch’s toothache expression meant.

His Little Concubine’s current appearance, although novel, made him prefer the lively and joyous Little Concubine he was used to, who now deliberately put on this guise, causing anyone who saw it to cringe.

He still preferred his Little Concubine’s normally cunning and clever demeanor over this one of unnecessary groaning.

Watching her for so long, he truly did not understand what his Little Concubine was aiming to do.

He knew her well, she was always practical, and such pointless, pretentious poetic acts were not something she would normally indulge in.

Could it be this woman who encouraged her to learn?

With this thought, the Emperor narrowed his eyes and glanced at Concubine Fang Pin.

Concubine Fang Pin shivered inexplicably, her attention fully drawn to Lian Hua.

Paying no heed to that shiver, she watched Lian Hua and shook her head in resignation. "It’s still lacking, not genuine."

Sister Lian’s eyes were too lively, too spirited. Although her mouth recited sorrowfully, her gaze did not seem truly sad, but rather as if she were playing.

Alas, she admitted defeat in teaching her, no matter how she tried, not everyone could grasp her essence, Sister Lian was already doing well, just not quite up to her level yet.

Seeing her failure in reciting the poem, Lian Hua rested her chin on her hands and thought, reciting a poem really takes so much effort, with all the posture, facial expressions, and gaze involved.

Never mind, it was just the gaze that was lacking, good enough to fool His Majesty, no need to learn anymore.

"Hmm? What do you mean, no more learning, what did Sister Lian say?" Concubine Fang Pin was lost in her reflections when she suddenly heard Lian Hua say something, snapping back to reality.

"Ah? Did I speak?" Lian Hua was startled, had she accidentally spoken her thoughts aloud?

Wasn’t she only supposed to behave this way in front of His Majesty?

How could she speak her mind in front of Consort Fang Pin, deceitful words not meant for Consort Fang Pin to hear, oh dear, how would this reflect on His Majesty? Fortunately, Concubine Fang Pin hadn’t heard clearly, and she let out a small sigh of relief.

However, Brother Xiao Ji and the others behind her heard every word clear as day, their faces covered in black lines, their confused master had been caught red-handed again...

The group instantly worried for Lian Hua, it was done, today might not end well, their master was likely to be punished by His Majesty again...

Meanwhile, Jin Xi, who was nearby, felt his heart leap in alarm, "Deceiving His Majesty," was this not tantamount to treason? How dared Master Lian utter such words, even thinking them should be off-limits.